The K7RA Solar Update 

Both average daily sunspot numbers and solar flux increased this week.  Average daily sunspot numbers rose from 118.6 to 133.4, while average solar flux went from 143.2 to 161.2.

Geomagnetic indicators were more active.  Average daily planetary A index went from 9.6 to 17.1, while average middle latitude A index rose from 9.6 to 14.4.

Predicted solar flux is 150 on May 26, 155 on May 27 and 28,...

Section Manager Update: Austin Elected, Bigley Re-elected, Gendron Appointed 

The results of two balloted Section Manager elections held this spring were determined when the ballots were counted at ARRL Headquarters on Tuesday, May 23, 2023.

John Bigley, N7UR, incumbent Section Manager of the ARRL Nevada Section, was re-elected when he received 277 votes, and Jim Shepherd, W6US, of Sparks, received 177 votes. Bigley, of Las Vegas, has been serving as Section Manager since...

Dayton Hamvention® 2023 Wrap Up 

ARRL greeted attendees in its large exhibit area in the "Tesla" building. Traffic to the exhibit was brisk. Members and prospective members enjoyed meeting with dozens of ARRL program representatives and volunteers. The event hosted the ARRL Great Lakes Division Convention.

While the final count is still a few days away from being completed, Hamvention spokesperson Michael Kalter, W8CI, said thi...

ARRL Headquarters Will Be Closed on Memorial Day, Monday, May 29 

ARRL  The National Association for Amateur Radio® honors and remembers the ultimate sacrifice made by those who served in the U.S. armed forces. ARRL Headquarters will be closed Monday, May 29, 2023, in observance of Memorial Day. Many of the member services and information offered by ARRL are accessible on our website 24/7.

There will be no W1AW code practice or bulletin transmissions on Memori...

Gomez Nominated for Vacant FCC Seat, Two Commissioners Renominated 

President Joe Biden announced three nominees for the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) on May 22, 2023. The President will nominate Anna M. Gomez for a vacant FCC seat. Two sitting Commissioners, Geoffrey Starks and Brendan Carr, will be nominated for new terms at the same time.

Gomez is an attorney with decades of experience in domestic and international communications law and policy. Go...

ARRL and FEMA Sign Agreement: Ham Radio is as Relevant as Ever 

The agreement emphasizes the importance of skilled Amateur Radio Operators in times of crisis and the role of ARES leadership within the emergency communications space. 

ARES (see the ARES fact sheet at www.arrl.org/ares) is a network of trained Amateur Radio Service licensees organized across the country to provide communications and other support to served agencies, such as local governments, ...

Dayton Hamvention Roundup Friday, May 19, 2023 

by Mark H. Derks, KC1RVQ, ARRL Acquisitions Editor

The Calm Before

The first official day of 2023 Dayton Hamvention® began with half an hour of calm on the show floor. All the transceivers and whips, the coils of coax, and bins of SMA connecters lay abed beneath their evening coverings -- white plastic tablecloth in the ARRL exhibit space, black canvas covers for neighboring Icom, and others beyo...

The K7RA Solar Update 

This reporting week, May 11-17, average daily sunspot number was
nearly the same as last week, 118.6 compared to 119.3, only
marginally lower.

But average daily solar flux dropped from 167.8 to 143.2.

Geomagnetic indicators were quieter, both planetary and middle
latitude A index at 9.6. Last week the two numbers were 15.1 and
11.9, respectively.

What is the outlook for the next few weeks?

10.7 cm sola...

Marc Tarplee, N4UFP, Section Manager of the ARRL South Carolina Section (SK) 

Section Manager of the ARRL South Carolina Section Marc Tarplee, N4UFP, passed away on Sunday, May 14, 2023.

Tarplee served as the South Carolina Section Technical Coordinator for 7 years before becoming the South Carolina Section Manager in 2010. He was the longest-serving Section Manager of the century within the ARRL Roanoke Division.

He was a member of the York County Amateur Radio Society (Y...

Virginia Beach Amateur Radio Club Receives Commendation 

The Virginia General Assembly recently issued a resolution commending the Virginia Beach Amateur Radio Club, W4UG (VBARC).

House Joint Resolution 681 was carried in the Virginia General Assembly by Virginia Beach Delegate Karen S. Greenhalgh. The resolution was co-patroned in the Virginia Senate by the 8th District Senator Bill DeSteph and the 14th District Senator John Cosgrove.

The commendation...

Puerto Rico Radio Amateurs Celebrate Día del Radioaficionado 

Radio amateurs in Puerto Rico have a day to honor their hobby, held this year on Tuesday, May 9. As set out by Law Number 50 of June 7th, 1996, every second Tuesday of the month of May is known as "Día del Radioaficionado de Puerto Rico," or Puerto Rico Amateur Radio Day. It is part of a larger celebration of National Radio Month held each May on the island.

Amateurs received a special proclama...

National Hurricane Center Amateur Radio Station Annual Test 

Updated 5/16/2023

The amateur radio station of the National Hurricane Center, WX4NHC (NHC), located on the campus of Florida International University in Miami, will conduct their on-the-air Annual Communications Test on Saturday, May 27, 2023, from 9 AM - 5 PM EDT (1300z- 2100z).

This is the NHC's 43rd year of public service. NHC Amateur Radio Assistant Coordinator Julio Ripoll, WD4R/WX4NHC, repo...